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Top tips for improving your wildlife photography
- Thread starter jw5
- Start date
Capturing the moment
How do you take a photograph like this? The chance element notwithstanding, it takes years of experience and a thorough knowledge of your subject. But by following a few easy tips, you can at least begin to capture some great moments from the exciting and diverse world that is the animal kingdom.
Understanding your subject
Animal behavior is complex and unpredictable. But the more you understand about animal psychology, the better chance you have of anticipating an encounter like this: a territorial clash between two male gemsbok on the dusty plains of Etosha National Park in Namibia.
Know your gear
In photography, you tend to get what you pay for. If you're truly passionate about wildlife photography, it's worth splashing out on professional gear. A DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera offers the optimum amount of settings, lenses, and accessories. Wise up on technique, and find out exactly what your camera of choice is capable of.
300mm telephoto lens
Telephoto lenses are a must for wildlife photography. The length you choose really depends on how close you can get and on the size of your subject. A 300mm 2.8 lens is a good all-round piece of equipment. Incidentally, always try and work with a lens with a large aperture—that is a lens with a smaller minimum f-number, like 2.8. These so-called fast lenses can achieve the same exposure with a faster shutter speed, and speed is often the essence in wildlife photography.
Teleconverter
Another useful accessory is a teleconverter. Small, light, and portable, teleconverters come in different degrees of magnification and can increase the reach of your lens. You will compromise to a degree on resolution, and lose some control over light, but you'll bring the world of wildlife much closer to your camera as a reward.
Bigger telephoto lens
Using telephoto lenses of 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, and 800mm is the norm when photographing wildlife. Large, heavy, and bulky, these lenses are also very expensive. As your skills and technique evolve, you'll most likely move up the optics scale. But your passion and commitment will have to equal the financial outlay.
Car door mount
Be aware that the bigger telephoto lenses are very heavy and can give your back and shoulders a hard time when on the move. Even holding one aloft can test the strength in your arms. It's therefore worthwhile investing in a car door lens mount. Some of the best wildlife images out there have been taken from the comfort of a vehicle.
Monopod or tripod?
A tripod is always useful. But again, think mobility. Tripods sturdy enough to support a 600mm lens are big and cumbersome. An alternative is a monopod, but you'll trade some stability for ease of use. Otherwise, find a boulder or tree stump to rest the lens on. And as a last resort, your own camera bag makes a useful cushion.
Freeze the action
Always work at a high speed. A bird caught mid-flight for example requires a shutter speed of at least 1/8000 second. Animals photographed in action look very dramatic. But remember: a slower shutter speed can reveal the subject in a totally different light. It all depends on the desired end result.
Character and environment
It's always an accomplishment to get a fantastic close-up shot of a wild animal. But sometimes that's only half the picture. Wildlife photography is also about recording habitat and the surrounding environment. Remember to use a wider lens to capture terrain and territory. Fillmmakers call this an "establishing shot."Yeahthis garbage with why hes blocked
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